Saturday Morning With Jack Tame

Disgust is a basic human emotion, probably designed to keep us safe and well as it makes us avoid icky things.   Yet as a parent of a baby we are constantly exposed to disgusting things – known officially as “effluvia” (think anything that flows out of a baby). It would make sense that constant exposure to baby ones, twos, and vomit would have some impact on our sense of disgust, otherwise we probably wouldn’t ever get near them!   New research compared parents to non-parents and showed them images of disgusting images. It found that non-parents looked away from these much more quickly than parents. This suggests that parents get inoculated against disgust, as looking away quickly is a sign of being grossed out.   But the impact on parents only occurred after babies had started to wean. Also, parents who had older kids and who also had a newborn milk-fed only baby showed the same disgust response as non-parents.   So what might be going on?   It may be that parents’ sense of disgust i

Ecosystem Services... sounds awfully like an Economical Job!  Thank goodness it’s not an ecological gig: Ecosystem Services are the ecological contributions organisms make to the smooth running of our planet.  Invertebrates, spiders, birds, trees, shrubs, fungi, whales, and insects, etc, do a variety of jobs that help us and all other creatures we share this Earth with. And we often forget about this!  Pollination   Without it, many of our plants, shrubs and trees won’t be able to reproduce.  A third of everything you eat has had the services of a Honeybee (or Bumblebee) involved! Others such as hoverflies, native bees (28 species!), thrips, beetles, birds, and heaps of flies love to visit the flowers – we often seem to forget about these beautiful green flies, known as dung-flies!  Photo / Getty Images  Dolomedes Minor – The Clever Nursery Web Spider  An endemic Spider Species that occurs only in New Zealand and are very clever in many ways.  In late spring, the

On the Saturday Morning with Jack Tame Full Show Podcast for Saturday 18 April 2026, one of New Zealand’s sharpest comedic minds, Tim Batt, joined Jack to chat about his major podcast success and return to the festival circuit.  Jack reaches a Duolingo milestone.  Chef Nici Wickes was in studio with a delicious dark chocolate and feijoa recipe.  Francesca Rudkin reviews the latest instalment in 'The Mummy' franchise.  Plus, Dougal Sutherland considers the impact of being a parent on your sense of disgust.  Get the Saturday Morning with Jack Tame Full Show Podcast every Saturday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What is testosterone?   A hormone ‘anabolic steroid’ produced by the testes and ovaries   It’s important for energy, libido, muscle mass, and bone health   It’s becoming more common – being marketed on social media as “anti-ageing” or performance-enhancing     When is testosterone use appropriate?   It’s intended for replacement therapy, not body enhancement   Clinically confirmed low testosterone in males, gender-affirming therapy, low libido around female menopause   Consistent symptoms (fatigue, low libido, reduced muscle mass) and repeated low blood levels   It should be prescribed and monitored by a doctor    Where does misuse occur?   Anti-ageing and wellness   Promoted for tiredness, weight gain, low energy   It’s often labelled “Low T” or “male menopause”   Normal ageing is medicalised – most men don’t meet treatment criteria   Bodybuilding and athletic performance   Used at high doses to increase muscle and

Spotify is... selling books?   Spotify has been in the audiobook business for two years, now operating in 22 markets with 700,000 titles to listen to.    They say users want a 'multi-format reading experience' which allows them to go from listening to being able to pick up a real book. Their 'Page Match' feature allows you to take a photo of that page of the book to instantly jump to the audio version, or vice versa. In the US and UK, they'll now offer you the opportunity to buy the physical book right in the app. What's old is new again, I guess?     Old business data is turning into a gold mine for AI   There are now startups who help a company shut down with all the classic things —payroll, government filings, etc— and then also create assets out of the 'operational exhaust' of these now defunct companies. Old documents, presentations, slack conversations, and email archives can all be used to train new AI models. This way, the data reflects real people, the way they interact,

Beef  The Emmy-winning series returns with a brand-new story of two couples whose blackmail war upends a country club, starring Oscar Isaac and Carey Mulligan (Netflix).    Margo's Got Money Troubles  The daughter of a former Hooter's waitress and an ex-pro wrestler, Margo is a recent college dropout and aspiring writer. Faced with a new baby, mounting pile of bills, and dwindling number of ways to pay them, Margo must find a way forward (Apple TV+).    LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lee Cronin’s The Mummy   The young daughter of a journalist disappears into the desert without a trace. Eight years later, the broken family is shocked when she's returned to them. However, what should be a joyful reunion soon turns into a living nightmare as she starts to transform into something truly horrifying.    Outcome   Beloved Hollywood star Reef Hawk becomes the target of an extortion plot when he receives a mysterious video that's sure to shatter his image and end his career. Hoping to identify the blackmailer, he soon embarks on a soul-searching journey to make amends with anyone he could have possibly wronged.    LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This chocolate cake is rich yet light and spongey too and it’s studded with gorgeous chunks of feijoa.   Makes a 20cm cake       Ingredients   150g butter, softened + extra for greasing the tin    1/3 cup dark cocoa   ½ cup boiling water    ¾ cup brown sugar    2 large free-range eggs   1 ½ cup self-raising flour   1 tsp baking soda   ½ cup sour cream or plain yoghurt    1 ½ cups scooped chopped feijoas   Whipped cream to serve       Method  Preheat the oven to 180C. Grease a 20cm spring form tin and dust with cocoa (or flour).    Whisk cocoa with boiling water.    Cream the softened butter and brown sugar with an electric beater until pale and fluffy.   Beat in the eggs one at a time, beating for 20 seconds between each.    Fold or gently beat in sifted flour and baking soda, alternating with the sour cream (or yoghurt if you’re using it) in two batches

361 days.    That’s how long my streak on Duolingo is. This week, all going well, I will pass the 12-month mark on the world’s biggest language learning app. A year of consistent daily Español.   Although of course, if you’ve ever used Duolingo, you might know that a 365-day-streak does not necessarily mean a full year without missing a lesson. The thing about Duolingo streaks is that if you happen to miss the occasional day for whatever reason, and you’ve racked up a bit of a streak already, it forgives you your absence. It freezes your progress for a day. I thought it was a cop-out feature until I flew across a time zone and faced the prospect of having my record thrown on the scrap heap.     One of my great educational regrets is that I cannot fluently speak multiple languages. I’ve always loved the sound of languages. I’ve loved what they reveal about culture. I get such a thrill from being in a place and speaking something other than English, connecting with another person. I swe

Horror is having its moment.  It’s dominating the film industry, with ‘Sinners’ recieving a record 16 nominations and four wins at this year’s Oscars – Frankenstein and Weapons getting their nods as well.  And a man who will forever be synonymous with horror is Robert Englund – the original Freddy Krueger.  Even though he’s long since hung up his fedora, striped sweater, and razor-fingered gloves, he’s still involved in highly influential thriller projects, including Netflix’s Stranger Things.  “I’m so proud of Sinners for, for kind of being one of the first horror films since ‘Silence of the Lambs’, then before that, perhaps ‘Rosemary’s Baby’, to really kind of be taken seriously at its time by the academy,” he told Jack Tame.   “I think Sinners has really begun another kind of renaissance,” Englund said.  “I sort of thought for a minute there that maybe all the zombie projects had sort of exhausted the audience, you know, for a while, but you know, Sinners was so fresh and so w

One of the most well-known music festivals in the world is currently taking place.  Coachella is a ten-day festival that takes place in the California desert, with dozens of the biggest musical acts performing on its stages. The festival is also livestreamed, free to watch on YouTube.  Chris Schulz isn’t at the festival physically, but in his opinion, watching the streams is the TV event of the year. He joined Jack Tame for a chat about Coachella.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Keeper by Tana French   On a cold night in the remote Irish village of Ardnakelty, a girl goes missing. Sweet, loving Rachel Holohan was about to be engaged to the son of the local big shot. Instead, she’s dead in the river.  In a close-knit small town, a death like this isn’t simple. It comes wrapped in generations-old grudges and power struggles, and it splits the townland in two. Retired Chicago detective Cal Hooper has friends here now, and he owes them loyalty, but his fiancée Lena wants nothing to do with Ardnakelty’s tangles. As the feud becomes more vicious, their settled peace starts to crack apart. And when they uncover a scheme that casts a new light on Rachel’s death and threatens the whole village, they find themselves in the firing line.     The Infinite Sadness of Small Appliances by Glenn Dixon   In a self-running, smart house, a young and sentient Roomba listens as her owner, Harold, reads aloud to his dying wife, Edie. Mesmerized by To Kill a Mockingbir

"If you’re keen to savour a bite-sized sampler of America’s Mother Road, Arizona’s Route 66 is a bumper section, tightly packed with time-honoured attractions and kitschy Americana curios. A century on from its launch as the nation’s first cross-continental route, the pioneering highway endures as a metaphor for the pursuit of new possibilities. Route 66 was officially decommissioned forty years ago by the multi-laned march of the I-40, but the evocative, retro-wreathed, roadside towns remain." Read Mike's full article here. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Especially in this economy, catching up with someone doesn’t have to mean spending over $40 at a cafe or a bar.  Kate Hall has a few suggestions on how you can turn your social time into something fun, practical, and a bit cheaper.  Ideas to try:   Seed or plant swap – everyone brings seedlings or cuttings, go home with a garden upgrade   Baking swap – make one thing, leave with a full spread   Meal prep swap – cook one big dish each, swap portions = dinners sorted   Clothing swap – especially good for the autumnal seasonal change or kids clothes   Pantry swap – jams, chutneys, sourdough starter, bulk goods   Home goods swap – books, decor, kitchen extras   Why it works:   It saves money   It reduces waste   And it builds actual connection (not just sitting across a table spending money)     LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Just have a look, will you! Just when you think the Dahlias are on their way out, you’re asked to come to the Botanic Gardens in Christchurch or a local beauty garden, somewhere nearby.  A series of colourful plants that shows you a range that’s totally unexpected – how do you get these at your place?  From left to right: Mick’s Peppermint, PomPom Rusty Orange, Le Baron, and KennemerLand Cactus. Currently it’s still “growing time”, or seriously, keeping the plants producing before the beginning of winter. Generally speaking, the Tubers won’t be available until mid-winter.  Some varieties are able to be planted slightly earlier, others a bit earlier – just ask the people who produce the next generation.  That means we have still plenty of time to go and visit the various Dalianthic “Hot Spot” and order the beauties you are looking forward to growing – Oderings, Dahlia Tubers, Stillwater Flowers, DahliasNZ.com, Mitre 10, Apollo Farm, etc.  Bluetiful Dahlia    Springtime is the

Čuvar Iris Pinot Noir 2024, Marlborough RRP $29.99   A ripe and fruity expression with core varietal flavours of cherry and raspberry, red flowers, and boysenberry. There are some wood spice moments and earth-smoke suggesting clay.    A dry wine with fine easily dissolved tannins along with a refreshing acid line. Balanced, well-made and ready to drink from day of purchase through 2029.   The Food:   A vegan or vegetarian risotto that is also gluten free. The tipping point in flavours is often what style of cheese to use. For vegans I suggest either the Veesey grated mozzarella or Epic brand Cheddar. For regular vegetarians a standard parmesan or similar. Also good to mention is using a whole leak, lots of peas and corn if you have any, and any other veges makes this an ideal match to the Pinot Noir from Čuvar.   The Season:   Rather epic for Pinot Noir from Marlborough. The region enjoyed warm to hot days and some cool night allowing for ripeness and acidity and ripe skin t

On the Saturday Morning with Jack Tame Full Show Podcast for Saturday 11 April 2026, the original Freddy Kreuger actor Robert Englund joins Jack to discuss the popularity of the horror genre and his visit to New Zealand for Armageddon.  Jack shares his thoughts on the Artemis II mission to the moon.  Chef Nici Wickes shares a hearty soup recipe for the stormy weather.  And Chris Schulz chats mega music festival Coachella.  Get the Saturday Morning with Jack Tame Full Show Podcast every Saturday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The next level of AI is about to be released, and there are major concerns   The models just keep getting better and better and now Anthropic, the maker of Claude, says its software engineering capability is now so advanced that it's finding thousands of vulnerabilities in software that no one knew existed.   Anthropic says "the fallout for economies, public safety, and national security could be severe". Anthropic has shared its new model Mythos with an alliance of cybersecurity companies as well as another 40 organizations. The CEO of Cisco, the maker of networking equipment, says AI has reached a level where critical infrastructure needs to be protected. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent met with critical US banks in the wake of the model's preview release.     Three quarters of parents fear their child could not make safe online privacy choices   The survey by the UK's data watchdog shows we need to be teaching kids about online safety just like we would road safety, because it'

Grand Designs New Zealand  Tom Webster meets aspirational New Zealanders on their daring, determined and sometimes perilous journeys to build the residential homes of their dreams, using innovation and a Kiwi can-do attitude to overcome the odds (TVNZ1 7.30pm Sunday April 12, TVNZ+).     My House, My Castle  A local television classic return to our screens to tackle a very different housing market to the one it left behind. A mix of relatable consumer stories, jaw-dropping home transformation, aspirational designs, and a masterclass of expert opinions (Three, Three Now).     LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Undertone   A podcast host covering spooky content moves in to care for her dying mother. When sent recordings of a pregnant couple's paranormal encounters, she discovers their story parallels hers, each tape pushing her toward madness.      The President’s Cake   As people in Iraq struggle to survive, 9-year-old Lamia has been selected to prepare a cake to celebrate the president's birthday. In a landscape of fear and scarcity, she sets out on a journey through the big city in search of eggs, flour and sugar.    LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.